Sewing mechanism



Oct. 13, 1931. N. ROSS ET AL 5 EWING MECHANI S M Filed July 13, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet l z a K357 Ozzie. 1%

Oct. 13, 1931. oss ET AL 1,827,694

SEWING MECHANISM I Filed July 13, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 13, 1931. F. N. ROSS ET AL 1,827,694

SEWING MECHANISM Filed July 15, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 III/ll Patented Oct. 13, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FREDERICK N. ROSS, OF GROSSE POINTE PARK, AND

HAROLD M. RATLEY, F HIGHLAND PARK, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNORS TO NATIONAL AUTOMOTIVE FIBRES, INC., OF OAK- LAND, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE SEWING MECHANISM Application filed July 13, 1929. Serial No. 378,161.

This invention relates particularly to sewing mechanisms for industrial purposes.

The invention may be utilized advantageously, for example, in a mult-i-pleat cushionmaking machine of the character described in the application of Allister S. Mitchell, Serial No. 347,935, filed March 18, 1929. The invention is capable of other useful application, however.

The improved mechanism is particularly well adapted to the purpose of sewing seams comprising outstanding nested seam-ridges. For example, the lining-fabric and finishfabric of pleated upholstery may have formed therein nested U-shape ridges; a sewing-needle may work through the nested ridges; and a co-acting looper-needle on the opposite side of the seam will serve to supply a looper-thread. In such a mechanism, the sewing-thread loop is carried through the looper-thread loop, and then a looper-thread is carried through a sewing-thread loop. In this manner, a double chain stitch is formed, which is sometimes referred to as a lockstitch.

The primary object of the present invention is to prevent the'missing of stitches. More specifically, the invention provides means for positively holding the looperthread loop in position to permit the sewingneedle to carry its loop through it, so that stitches will not be dropped.

The invention is illustrated in a preferred embodiment in the accompanying drawings, in WlllCl).-

Fig. 1 is a broken vertical sectional view of an upholstery making machine, thesection being taken in a longitudinal plane, the figure showing in side elevation (slightly broken) one of the improved sewing mechanisms; Fig. 2, a front elevational view of the sewing mechanism, on a smaller scale, this view showing in section a portion of a cushion; Fig. 3, a detail sectional view showing means for reciprocating the sewing-head, where such feature is desired, the section being taken as indicated at line 3 of Fig. 4; Fig. 4, a broken transverse vertical section taken as indicated at line 4 of Fig. 1; Fig. 5, a detail view taken as indicated at line 5 of Fig. 4; Fig. 6, a detail view taken as indicated at line 6 of Fig. 4; Fig. 7, a horizontal detail section taken as indicated at line 7 of Fig. 4; Fig. 8, an enlarged broken horizontal section taken as indicated at line 8 of Fig. 4;

Figs. 9 and 10, enlarged detail views illusthe invention, A designates a beam, frame member, or cross-head, equipped with a pair of brackets A carryin bearings, or journalportions, 1; B, a shaft Journalled in the bearingsl and rotated by any suitable means (not shown) C, a head suspended on the bearings 1, which are concentric with the shaft B, said head being equipped with an upwardly extending arm C; D, a sewing-needle actuator mounted on the head and equipped with a curved sewing-needle D; E, a looper-needle actuator mounted on the head and equipped with a looper-needle E; F, mechanism mounted in and one the head and serving to actuate the members D and E; G, a portion of the mechanism for carrying the cushionforming materials through the machine; and H, a cushion shown in the process of formation.

In the illustration given, the member A may be assumed to be a vertically adjustable cross-head, or beam, which extends across the bed of the machine and is adjustably related thereto. One of the bracket-members A is shown equipped with an upwardly eX- tending arm A A coil-spring 2 is shown interposed between the arm A and a follower 3 which engages a fork 4 with which the arm C of the sewing-head is provided.

The shaft B, as stated, may be rotated by any suitable driving mechanism.

The head C is shown as comprising a lower east main section 5 and an upper cast section 5* with which the arm is formed integrally, the two. sections being formed with a divided bearing which is pivoted on the bearings 1 ,and front and rear bearing-plates 6 and 7, respectively, secured to the front and rear sides of the lower portion of the main cast section 5. A seam-engaging shoe 8 is secured to the lower end of the member 5, as by means of screws 8.

,Screws 9 extend through the plate 7 and member 5 and have tapped connection with the plate 6. Any suitable means for securing the plates 6 and 7 may be employed, however.

The sewing-needle actuator D is shown as comprising a curved arm, or lever, having one end supported on a pivot 10, the lever being mounted to swing in a transverse vertical plane. The lower portion of the head C is solid, and the lever works freely through an opening 11 in one wall of the head. The outer end of the lever depends to a position below the head and carries the curved needle D which works through a perforation 12 with which the shoe 8 is provided.

The looper-needle actuator E is shown as comprising a forked lever 13 having its lower end provided with a socket in which is adjustably secured the shank of a member 14. The looper-needle E has an angular threadcarrying portion 15 which lies in a plane adjacent one side of the shoe 8 and has an outwardly extending shank 15 which is adjustably secured in a socket of the member 14, by means of a screw 16.

The sewing-thread is designated 17; and the looper-thread is designated 18.

The point-portion of the looper-needle isdesignated 15. In operation, this describes an ellipse, as shown at 19 in Fig. 5, so that the looper-needle passes first above and then below the sewing-needle.

The means F for actuating the members D and E comprises a shaft 20 (parallel with the shaft B) and journalled in the member 5 and actuated by the shaft B through the medium of pinions 21; a slide 22 at one side of the member 5 having a slot 22 through which the member D extends, the elbow-portion of the member D being connected to said slide by pi'vots 22"; a slide 23 at the opposite side of the member 5; a link 24 connecting the slide 22 with a crank-pin 24 carried by the shaft 20; a link 25 connecting the slide 23 with a crank-pin 25 carried by the shaft 20; and an eccentric 26 on the shaft 20 journalled in a block 26 which works in a slot 27 between the furcations with which the upper end of the lever 13 is provided.

The upper end of the slide 23 has secured thereto 'a pivot-stud 28 equipped with a removable headed screw 28. The link 25 has a boss, or hearing, 29 journalled on the stud 28 and affording a pivot for the member 13.

The lower pinion 21 has formed'integrally therewith a cam 30 which serves to actuate a bell-crank lever 31 which is pivoted on a stud 32 carried by an ear 33 with which the head C is equipped. At one end, the member 31 is equipped with a roller 31 which engages the cam 30. At the other end, said lever is equipped with a cam 31 which engages a cam surface 34 with which the supportingbeam A is provided. The cam 30 actuates the lever 31 so as to swing, or oscillate, the head C in timed relation with reference to the movements of the sewing-needle and looper-needle.

The slides 22 and 23 (Fig. 7) are confined between the lateral walls of the member 5 and flanges 35 with which the plates 6 and 7 are equipped. It will be noted that the construction is such as to provide dove-tailed grooves in which the slides work. If desired, shims may be introduced between the plates 6 and 7 and the member 5 initially, and the shims may be removed as may be necessary to compensate for wear; or, if desired, shims may be introduced between the flanges 35 and the slides to compensate for wear.

The sewing-thread 17 (Fig. 2') is drawn from a spool 17*; and the looper-thread 18 is drawn from a spool 18 These spools are shown .mounted on a stationary support 36. The threads pass about tensioning devices 37 mounted on the head C. The thread 17 then passes through a guide 38 mounted on the head, thence through a guide 39 mounted on the actuator D, and thence through the sewing-needle.

The thread 18 passes from the tensioning device 37 through a guide 40 mounted on the head, and thence through a perforation 41 (Fig. 9) in the elbow of the loo'per-needle 15. The thread then passes longitudinally beneath the arm 15 and thence upwardly through a perforation 42 near the needle point of the arm and thence through the perforation 12 of the adjacent furcation of the shoe 8 (Fig. 8).

The movement of the member D serves to draw the sewing-thread, as needed; and the movement of the swinging-member 15 serves to draw the looper-thread, as needed. The mechanism G forms a part of the means for feeding the cushion material through the machine. Such mechanism is fully described in the above-mentioned Mitchell application. A portion of the mechanism shown comprises a shaft 43 carrying a sprocket-wheel 44 upon which is mounted a ridge-chain 45. The ridge-chain 'comprises relatively low links 45 and relatively high intervening links 45". The high links serve to form seam-ridges in one of the fabrics.

The cushion H, formed by the machine, comprises, in the illustration given, a fabric 46; afabric 47; and strips of cotton batting 48. The seam ridge of the fabric 46 is des- I I ignated 46, and that of the fabric 47 is designated 47*. These seam-ridges are brought into the nested relation shown in Fig. 2, thus forming an outstanding seam through which the sewing-needle may be thrust from one side and parallel with which the looper-needle works at the other side. That is, the sewing-needle moves in a transverse plane, while the looper-needle works in a plane parallel with the seam and at one side thereof, the point-portion of the looper-needle describing essentially an ellipse in the manner illustrated in Fig. 5. This movement of the looper-needle is effected by the member E which is raised and lowered by the link 25 and is also swung on its pivot by the cam 26.

The seam-embracing shoe 8 which depends from the head (J- is shown provided with furcations designated 8 and 8 (Figs. 8-16). Between these furcations is the groove 8 which accommodates the seam to be sewed.

The groove 8 has its outer side suitably recessed adjacent the perforation 12 to provide a small hook 49 which is adapted to engage and positively hold the looper-thread 18 while the sewing-needle carries its loop therethrough. This hook preferably is provided by filing in the side of the fur-cation 8 a groove 49 which is wide and shallow, but gradually deepens and narrows into a throat portion at the portion where it intercepts the perforation 12. The metal is undercut (from above), thus providing an upstanding fin which constitues the hook 49. The lower wall of the groove is indicated by the dotted line 49 in Figs. 11 and 12.

The manner in which the, double chain stitch is formed will be readily understood from Figs 8-16. The looper-thread 18 is shown in heavy lines, and the sewing-thread 17 is shown in light lines. In Fig. 13, the looper-needle is shown near the end of its forward thrust, and it will be observed that the thread'18 is in position to drop into the groove 49* inside the hook d9 when the looper-needle is lowered as it starts its return movement. Fig. 14 shows the looper-thread loop held by the hook 49 while the sewing-needle passes through the loop and above the looper-needle. Fig. 15 illustrates the position after the looper-needle has been retracted and has again started forward. On the forward stroke, it passes above the sewing-needle and carries its loop through the sewing-thread loop. Fig. 16 shows the sewing-needle practically withdrawn and the looper-needle advancing to bring the looper-thread loop again to the position shown in Fig. 13.

From the description given, it will be understood that the invention provides for the catching and positive withholding of the looper-thread loop so as to insure the passing of the sewing-needle through the looperthread loop at every thrust of the sewingneedle.

It may be added that Fig. 1 shows a thin seam-ridge guide, or blade, 50 carried by a stationary support 50*. The point of this blade extends forwardly and enters between the high links of the ridge-chain, so that the seamwill ride over the blade and be heightened and flattened just prior to the stitching operation. The fin, or blade, 50 is suit ably recessed to permit the passage of the sewing-needle. In the other figures, the fin 50 is omitted for convenience of illustration.

In the machine as illustrated, the memv ber 31 serves to swing the head C forwardly so that the sewing-needle and the looper-needle move with the work. The head is retracted by means of the spring 2 after the withdrawal of the sewing-needle from the seam. The actuation of the sewing-head in this manner is not regarded as essential, although it may be desirable if very long stitches are to be taken. Therefore, the device 31 may be removed from the head, if desired, and the head will then remain practically stationary, notwithstanding the fact that the cushion-forming materials may be fed continuously through the machine as the sewmg progresses.

Regardless of whether the feature of actuating the sewing-head is utilized, the manner of suspending the head from a center coinciding with the axis of the main actuating shaft B is desirable. Moreover, slight movement of the head may occur as a result of the yielding of the spring 2 in case of any possible jamming of the seam in the foot 8. It has been discovered that positive actuation of the sewing-head is unnecessary. Indeed, the head may be absolutely fixed, if desired, assuming rapid actuation of the sewing-needle and a rate of feed of the cushion-forming materials commensurate even with a very large output.

If desired, the feeding of cotton batts to the pleats coincident with the formation of the leats may be omitted, in which case the mac ine will nevertheless sew the fabrics together and produce pleated upholstery, the pleats of which may be stufied by hand, or in any desired manner.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, but the appended claims should be construed as broadly as permissible, in view of the prior art.

What we regard as new, and desire to secure b Letters Patent, is:

1. ewing mechanism comprising a head equipped with a seam-engaging shoe provided with a needle passage and with a hook having an upwardly extending fin adjacent thereto; a sewing-needle working through said passage; and a looper-needle describin a movement about said passage and hook.

2. Sewing mechanism comprising a seamequipped at its operative end with a seamengaging shoe having a needle passage and carrying a looper-thread hook adjacent said passage; a transversely acting sewing-needle mounted at one side of said head; and an angular looper-needle disposed in a plane adjacent the hook-equipped side of said shoe and having rising and falling and forward and back movements.

4. Sewing mechanism comprising a head having its operative end equipped with a seam-engaging shoe provided at one side with a looper-thread book, a transversely swinging lever mounted on said head and projecting therefrom at one side and carrying a sewing-needle; a looper-thread needle operating in a plane parallel with the seam at the other side of said shoe; a lever mounted on said head and carrying said looper-needle; and means for oscillating said last-mentioned lever and effecting raising and lowering thereof. a

5. In combination a means for feeding plies of fabric and forming a seam comprising nested seam ridges; and sewing mechanism comprising a head equipped with a seam-engaging shoe provided at one side with a looper-thread hook; a looper-thr'ead needle mounted on said head and describing an elliptical movement about said hook; and a transversely working sewing-needle co-acting with said looper-needle and adapted to be thrust through and withdrawn from the seam.

6. In combination: a head equipped with a seam-embracing shoe provided with a needle passage, said shoe having formed integrally therewith a looper-thread hook disposed adjacent said passage; a sewing-needle working through said passage; and a looperneedle adjacent the hook-equipped side of said shoe describing an elliptical movement about said passage and hook.

7. Sewing mechanism comprising a head;

slides having bearings against opposite sides of said head; guide-plates connected with the remaining sides of said heads and having projecting flanges engaging said slides; a sewing-needle actuator actuated by one of said slides; and a looper-needle actuated by the other of said slides.

8. Sewing mechanism comprising a member having four fiat sides; slides bearing against two opposite sides of said member; plates applied to the remaining two sides of said member and having flanges serving to retain and guide said slides; a sewing-needle actuator actuated by one of said slides; a

looper-needle actuator pivotally mounted on 

